Controversy erupted in Maine high school sports after a transgender athlete’s victory in pole vaulting at the Class B state championships impacted both individual and team results.\

The competition, held on Monday, saw Katie Spencer from Greely High School win the Class B state championship in pole vaulting with a height of 10 feet, 6 inches. Spencer’s victory proved decisive in helping Greely secure the overall girls’ team title by a single point.

The result gained national attention after State Representative Laurel Libby, a Republican, shared on Facebook that Spencer had competed in the boys’ division two years earlier, placing fifth in the same event.

“Girls’ sports have come a long way, and I think we have a responsibility to protect Maine girls and ensure they have a level playing field,” Libby said in an interview with WMTW.

The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA), which oversees high school sports in the state, recently announced it would not enforce President Trump’s executive order barring transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports, despite warnings that schools could lose federal funding.

The issue sparked a confrontation at the National Governors Association session at the White House, where President Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills disagreed over the implementation of the executive order. When pressed about Maine’s compliance, Mills stated, “We’ll see you in court,” to which Trump responded, “Enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”

Allen Cornwall, a pole vault official and coach, told OutKick: “Numerous parents, coaches, athletes, and volunteers have told me that this is wrong, but no one dares to address it.”

The Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) criticized the outcome, highlighting how Spencer’s victory affected both individual and team results.

As the debate continues, Maine’s current policy allows transgender athletes to compete in divisions aligning with their gender identity. While states like Idaho and Texas have implemented restrictions, others such as California and New York maintain policies allowing full participation based on gender identity.

The controversy reflects a broader national discussion about transgender athlete participation in sports, with advocacy groups, politicians, and athletic organizations continuing to debate appropriate policies and regulations.